Cope Participates in Mountbatten Christmas Fiesta

It was balloons, hip-hop and flames for the old and young this Christmas at Old Airport Road, where merrymakers in three generations gathered for a heartwarming festive celebration — Christmas Fiesta @ Mountbatten.

Some 400 families and residents of MINDSVille centre for the intellectually disadvantaged streamed in across confetti-strewn grass to enjoy a Hokkien re-telling of the Christmas tale, as well as to take photos with Santa Claus at a mock “fire place.”

Although the Dec. 28, 2009 event was scheduled to roll out at 630pm, by 5pm there were already grannies with toddlers in tow, picking out finger food at the flea market stalls, and blind-folded youth squealing their way across colorful obstacle courses. Volunteers handed out fistfuls of candy canes — accounting for the sticky grins of half the children present.

Organized by City Harvest Community Services Association (CHCSA), Mountbatten Community Centre Club, Old Airport Residents’ Club and Pine Close Residents’ Club, the day’s program also included song items, line dances, Cantonese dances and a thumping hip hop act. Marine Parade MP Mr. Lim Biow Chuan graced the festive event with his presence.

At the end of the day, it was the fire eating demonstration that brought the carnival atmosphere to a feverish pitch. Cheered on by the enthusiastic audience, an elderly member of the crowd was invited onstage, where he gamely joined in the fiery display.

As CHCSA’s acapella group, NP Voices, serenaded the crowd with Christmas carols, warm smiles glowed on both fresh and wrinkled faces alike, telling of a satisfying and thrilling Christmas celebration.

PHOTOS: Mr Chris Tham